Tom Gabriel Fischer of Celtic Frost returns with his latest extreme metal project, which has the potential to surpass Celtic Frost in fame and influence within the world of metal.

Eparistera Daimones

When Celtic Frost reunited in 2001 after an eight-year hiatus, the metal community responded with resounding jubilation. The 2006 release of Monotheist was a momentous occasion for fans worldwide, marking a new chapter in Celtic Frost's history. The anticipation of waiting for a new album, though, was soon replaced by the universal dismay and outrage felt when Celtic Frost disbanded again in 2008. It seemed that Tom Gabriel "Warrior" Fischer would not grace the world with his artistic genius in extreme metal again. Which is why, when Fischer announced the formation of a new project called Triptykon, fans were clamoring for new music immediately. Fischer declared that he wanted Triptykon to sound similar to Celtic Frost's sound on Monotheist, aiming for a dark, experimental vibe that would still be unique in its own way. Eparistera Daimones, the first Triptykon studio album, accomplishes just that, bringing together several genres of metal to create a soundscape similar to Celtic Frost, but with its own distinctive and breathtaking twists.

The most prominent aspect of Eparistera Daimones is the overwhelming heaviness of every element in the sound. The guitars are always at the forefront, dominating the pace and direction of the music in every aspect. Fischer mixes up his vocals, using a raspy singing voice, aggressive spoken word, and his signature growls, all with great effect. His voice has a pervasive sense of vicious anger throughout the album, as if he is trying to contain some simmering rage within himself. With the addition of a throbbing bass track and meticulous, polished drumming, Triptykon's sound is a blend of the best bands in extreme progressive metal. In addition to the obvious Celtic Frost similarities, fans will also detect in it elements of Gojira, Opeth, Katatonia, and Dødheimsgard.

The variety of sound and the ability to effortlessly shift from one subgenre to another are what make Triptykon so special. Fischer melds progressive metal, thrash metal, black metal, death metal, and doom metal into an extremely avant garde style that ebbs and flows from one style into another between and within songs, while simultaneously maintaining a constant ambience that permeates every second of the album. Whether shredding on a Slayeresque guitar solo, plodding through droning slow parts, or surging over complex polyrhythmic sections, there is a unifying atmosphere to the entire album that holds everything together. This distinct quality brings this album up from being just a great album to being a truly exceptional piece of musical mastery.

Metal fans worldwide have received a remarkable gift in the form of Eparistera Daimones. Not since Opeth released Blackwater Park has a single album been so incredibly unique and excellent in all aspects of its music, including both composition and performance. Triptykon are exceptional in both their similarity to the band that fathered them and in their sonic separation from that band. If Fischer is able to maintain his output with this band, metal fans could see Triptykon take the place of Celtic Frost as his greatest contribution to the world of music. This band is truly special, and every metal fan will find something about them that is worth listening to.

White Hills epic '80s callback
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